In 2016, the US Preventive Services Task Force concluded that there was "insufficient" ("I" statement) evidence to support universal primary care screening for autism spectrum disorder. The statement led to controversy among research and clinical communities. Although a number of papers have since been published arguing for the…

Some children experience more difficulty than others becoming literate, often at great emotional, intellectual, social, and economic cost to themselves, but also to those who love and care for them, and for society at large. The causes of those difficulties and what to do about them have been the source of much research and sometimes heated…

The concept of moderate learning difficulties (MLD) is not clearly understood in its definition and in its general use. Nevertheless, as a distinct area of special educational needs (SEN) this category has constituted about a quarter of all of those pupils identified as having SEN in England. This paper reports the analysis of findings from an…

This paper reviews current proposals concerning the definition of dyslexia and contrasts it with reading comprehension impairment. We then discuss methods for early identification and review evidence that teacher assessments and ratings may be valid screening tools. Finally, we argue that interventions should be theoretically motivated and…

This paper discusses the definition of learning disability through the concept of early identification of vulnerable children, based on a study of 650 inner-city preschool children. While the study's first step, scanning, identified the children who were vulnerable to learning disability, the second step, diagnosis, attempted to find the reasons…

Basic information for regular classroom teachers with students who are both gifted and learning disabled covers definition of this population; incidence; characteristics; and six teaching strategies, such as flexibility in how student demonstrates mastery of material, adapting for reading differences, and using attention-directing techniques. A…

Aptitude test performance of 300 sixth graders compared with measures of intelligence, creativity, and task commitment (J. Renzulli's definition of giftedness) showed that strict application of Renzulli's definition resulted in identification of a small number of students. Totally different children were identified by verbal as opposed to figural…

The author cites issues involved in defining learning disabilities and suggests that it is a subcategory of underachievement. He summarizes his ongoing attempt to identify underachievers in kindergarten through a regression-referenced approach. (CL)

Discussed is early identification of children having special educational or developmental needs, with emphasis on the use of screening to identify the potential high risk learner. Terms are defined and criteria to help select a screening instrument are given. The Zeitlin Early Identification Screening (ZEIS) is described as an example of a…

The 1982 National Report on Identification, Assessment and Recommendations for Comprehensive Identification of Gifted and Talented Youth focused on six topic areas: (1) appropriate definitions; (2) principles of identification; (3) effectiveness of current identification; (4) screening out of gifted students; (5) use of a multiplicity of methods;…

Among findings were standardized testing and other inappropriate practices, apparent confusion over the definition of giftedness, and lack of understanding regarding identification measures under each of the federal definition's categories. (Author/SB)

These guidelines are intended to help New York State school districts: (1) develop procedures for identifying gifted students and (2) use the information obtained through identification procedures as a basis for deciding how educational programs and services can be modified to serve the students. Initial sections of the manual define giftedness…

The etiology and identification of learning disabilities are summarized and a team approach in assessment and treatment is suggested. Topics covered include definition of learning disabilities (definitions which refer to central nervous system functioning and definitions which emphasize the learning and behavior disorders without central nervous…

The paper discusses some of the basic issues involved in providing child identification, screening, and assessment services for preschool emotionally disturbed children. Attention is given to the public school's concerns as to what constitutes an emotional disorder, what role the school district can take in finding and assessing children with…

The author reviews the key problems associated with generally accepted practices for identifying the gifted from the perspective of minority gifted students, particularly the gifted bilingual child; and presents some alternative approaches for testing. Noted among the shortcomings of testing minority students are that standardized tests are not…